When repentant sinners realise they need to get right with God, they must abandon their former sinful lifestyles, confess their sins to Him and ask His forgiveness. They must earnestly ask God to forgive their sins and meet His condition for forgiveness by fully and honestly confessing all known sin:

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

The Lord Jesus is waiting on us to confess our sins (in the plural, which means all of them) and to turn our backs on them. We must abandon our sins and firmly resolve not to do such things again. The Bible says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes themwill have mercy” (Prov. 28:13).

Repentant sinners, as well as backslidden Christians who have again become entangled by sin and unrighteousness, must be fully prepared to abandon their old lives by confessing and forsaking all their sins. The prodigal son in the parable made a definite decision to forsake his sins when he said: “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you” (Luke 15:18).

King David said, “I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight… Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow... blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart” (Ps. 51:3-4,7,9-10).

A hurried, superficial, insincere confession of sins will not do. You need to do more than merely say, “Forgive all my sins.” Take time to confess your sins one by one as the Holy Spirit convicts you of them.

Another very important condition for the confession of sins and the receiving of Jesus as your Saviour is that it should be done in faith. Sinners who have not yet responded to the calling of God, are dead in sins and do not yet have faith since they are still unbelievers with hardened hearts. The gospel message awakens them to their sinful, lost condition. Then “the grace of God that brings salvation” (Titus 2:11) comes into their hearts, enabling them to put their trust in Jesus to save them. Like the penitent tax-gatherer, they can then exclaim: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).

Paul explains how we can receive faith – by reading God’s Word which leads us to true repentance: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). When unbelievers read or listen to good evangelical messages on repentance, the Holy Spirit gives faith in their hearts to believe the message and to react to it. However, there are those people who maintain that they simply cannot believe. The solution to this problem is not to argue it away theologically, or to convince people that they must only accept the facts with their mind. They need further exposure to the Word of God, because the principle remains that faith comes by the Word of God. So, by reading long sections from the New Testament and listening to good biblical sermons, in due course faith will come to them as they receive God’s living Word into their hearts. The Lord Jesus memorably said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

When faith in Jesus as Saviour comes to awakened and convicted sinners they can be assured that God will receive them with open arms, as in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24) and that God is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

Since “God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8) we can be assured that God’s door of grace is open to us and we can walk through it in repentance and faith! Jesus said, “…the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

To believe in Jesus (John 3:16; Acts 16:31) involves more than believing that He came into the world to die for our salvation. We must have a basic knowledge about His deity, God’s plan of salvation, our responsibilities, and also about the promise of sanctification which is made to all believers. We must believe:

that He is the true God and eternal life, and the only Saviour of the world (1 John 5:20; Luke 19:10);

that we have to repent with the confession of our sins to obtain His forgiveness (Matt. 9:13; Acts 17:30);

that He is able to make us new creatures, that the old things can pass away and that everything can be made new (2 Cor. 5:17);

that He purchased us with His blood and that we henceforth, if we have received Jesus as Saviour, belong to Him to be used by Him (1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19);

that because of the rebirth we make a new beginning in life which implies a process of growing up to spiritual maturity (Eph. 4:13-14; Heb. 5:12–6:1); and

that we must be filled with the Holy Spirit, study the Bible, and commit ourselves to a life of service to be witnesses for the Lord (Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Tim. 4:2).

Confession of faith

We confess the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit(Mt. 28:19; Mk. 12:29). We take a strong stand on the Deity, eternal self-existence and virgin birth of the Lord Jesus(Jn. 20:28; Heb. 1:8-9; 1 Jn. 5:20). We believe in the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible in the original languages, the need for all people to be born again spiritually to enter the kingdom of God, justification by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:3-8; Rom. 3:22-24; Eph. 1:7) and also the doctrine of sanctification by being filled with the Holy Spirit to become bold witnesses and disciples of the Lord Jesus (Acts. 15:8-9; 1 Thes. 4:3,7-8; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). We firmly believe that the whole counsel of God has been revealed to us in His Word. We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Acts. 1:10-11; 1 Cor. 15:22-23, 51-52; 1 Thes. 4:15-18; Rev. 1:7).

There are so many variations of Christianity with regard to its practices and creeds that the question is often asked: which is the correct one? Christians who strongly adhere to basic Scriptural pronouncements, principles and values are referred to as fundamental, conservative or evangelical believers. The characteristics of this disposition will be reviewed in terms of its relevancy to a sound faith.

Christian fundamentalism is associated with the following 32 basic principles: {READ MORE}

Prayer

Begin the Day with PrayerTHE men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in the last place the remainder of the day. {READ MORE}

Much Time Should Be Given to PrayerMuch time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying. Prayer which is felt as a mighty force is the mediate or immediate product of much time spent with God. Our short prayers owe their point and efficiency to the long ones that have preceded them. {READ MORE}

Preachers Need the Prayers of the PeopleIt is absolutely necessary for the preacher to pray. It is an absolute necessity that the preacher be prayed for. It will take all the praying he can do, and all the praying he can get done, to meet the fearful responsibilities and gain the largest, truest success in his great work. {READ MORE}

Prayer is one of the most important Christian activities. Through prayer one maintains an intimate walk with the Lord and lays the foundation for success in other spiritual activities. It also ensures victory in the struggle against Satan as you commit yourself in faith to the protection and care of the Great Victor, Jesus Christ. Dr. Andrew Murray said: “I am convinced that we will never fully appreciate what the great significance of prayer is as long as we only regard it as a way to sustain our own spiritual life. But if we learn to view it as the most important work entrusted to us, the basis and strength of all our work, then we will realise that there is nothing we should study and practice as the art of praying correctly.”

The request of the disciples was: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). We can only learn the art of true prayer and intercession from the Great Intercessor, Jesus Christ. It is a school in which we must grow in grace and knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18). Although prayer, in its initial form, is so simple that even the smallest child can pray, it is at the same time the highest form of dedication to which believers are called.{READ MORE}

The Power of PrayerRA TorreyYe have not, because ye ask not (James 4:2). "Why is it," many a Christian is asking, "that I make such poor progress in my Christian life? Why do I have so little victory over sin? Why do I win so few souls to Christ? Why do I grow so slowly into the likeness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?" And God answers in the words of the text: "Neglect of prayer. You have not, because you ask not." {READ MORE}

The Word of God

How To Study the BibleGeorge MullerThe Manner of Reading the Bible / Stick to the Word of God / Read Consecutively / Connecting the Scriptures / Read the Word Prayerfully / Also Meditate On the Word / Read With Faith / Be Doers of the Word...

In this article, 14 characteristics of the Word of God are described. These statements are most significant in view of the fact that that a large body of modern theologians have, through their prejudice and destructive criticism, relegated the Bible to the level of highly contentious and disputed writings of human origin.

Spiritual Backsliding

The Backslider in HeartCharles G. Finney

I. What backsliding in heart is not.II. What backsliding in heart is.III. What are evidences of backsliding in heart.IV. What are consequences of backsliding in heart.V. How to recover from this state.

It is important that one understands the phenomenon of apostatising, or backsliding, as every believer should be able to identify and counter this backward course in his or her spiritual life whenever it occurs. If you wish to determine the objective truth about spiritual backsliding you should consult the Bible and not biased or erroneous church dogma. Some churches, mostly in the Wesleyan tradition, agree to the possibility of backsliding while others, mostly Calvinistic and Lutheran churches, reject the possibility of apostatising and falling from grace. What does the Bible teach?

Mission

Blanket Project

The women of the Free State FBC started a blanket project in 2014 to crochet a double bed blanket for every minister and his wife. The first blankets were delivered with our last tour in January. The ladies that are part of this project asked for a photo of the families their blankets went to so that they can also pray for them.

A wheelchair for Eliza

Above is Eliza Divala and her husband, she received a wheelchair in March 2014. She has never been able to walk in her life and this is her first wheelchair ever.

PLANNING:

Next Tour – June 2016

The Biggest Needs of the Mission:Material for 3 church buildingsCement - most of the churches need to be completedRepair work on the pastors’ housesChichewa & Portuguese Bibles (R80 per Bible)Hymnals for all the churches (R26 each)

Are you born again?

The Necessity of RebirthProf. Johan Malan

Scripture reading: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again… Nicodemus answered and said to Him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said to him, Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” (John 3:1-10).

But there is another, more abstract form of slavery by an invisible enemy, to which most people are subjected for their entire life, and that is spiritual and moral slavery. This is a problem which faces all people as all of us are slaves of sin because of the fallen nature which we have inherited from Adam. Sin is the consequence of alienation from God, and that accounts for the spiritual and moral depravity of mankind. The Fall has rendered humanity despicable in the eyes of God (Gen. 6:5-6). Paul says: “... through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Rom. 5:12).

The Second Coming

How Can We be Ready for the Second Coming of Christ?Johan Malan

There are various prophecies in the Bible by which Christians are encouraged to be vigilant and ready for the sudden coming of the heavenly Bridegroom. These instructions and admonitions should be taken seriously, as there are so many things that can divert the attention of a believer from his calling as a servant of Christ, who should be able to boldly give an account of his life when his Master returns at an unexpected hour. On that day He will catch away His bride to her heavenly abode, and then it will be too late to prepare for His coming and to rearrange your priorities in life. The following is one of the many calls to be found alert, dedicated and faithful on the day of the second coming:

“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:33-37).{READ MORE}

The rapture is the event in which the Lord Jesus Christ will appear in the cloud at the voice of the archangel and the last trumpet sound to take all Bible believing, born again Christians away from the surface of this earth before the Almighty God unleashes his anger on a sinful, unrepentant and Christ-rejecting world.

The rapture is an event that will take place very soon and very suddenly. It will be the most astonishing event in the history of the world which will turn the entire planet on its head. The Bible teaches this very clearly and it is the hope of every believer in the Lordship of Jesus Christ to be among those who experience the rapture. {READ MORE}

The History of the Free Baptist Church

THE ORIGINS TO THE PRESENT

The history of the Church in South Africa begins with the coming of the History Dutch (1652) History French Huguenots (1668) Dutch (1652), the French Huguenots (1668) and the early German History German Lutheran Settlers a little later. With perhaps a few exceptions, these settlers were all Protestants. The Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), controlled by hierarchy in Amsterdam, was the established church into which the Huguenots, with the exception of the German Lutheran, were assimilated. By l875 most of the non-state churches (those in the English group) in the Cape Colony became known as `free' churches. These churches became known as the 'English Free Churches English speaking Speaking Churches.’{READ MORE}

Sanctification

How to Keep SanctifiedBooklet by J.O. Mc CLURKAN

The conflict is not over when you enter the sanctified life. The enemy within has been cast out, but sin in a thousand different forms lurks about you. To retain a pure heart requires the utmost vigilance. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”The Israelites did most of their fighting after entering Canaan; but few conquests were made in the wilderness. It takes the grace of entire sanctification to guarantee continuous victory in a land of walled cities, giants and thirty-one kings.

We must he holy on earth before we die, if we desire to go to heaven after death. If we hope to dwell with God for ever in the life to come, we must endeavour to be like Him in the life that now is. We must not only admire holiness, and wish for holiness: we must be holy.{LEES MEER}

Four messages

Four messages are presented on key issues which directly affect the nature of preparations which the church as the bride of Christ should make to be ready for the sudden coming of Jesus Christ as the heavenly BridegroomJohan Malan

From Darkness to the Light

God’s Plan of SalvationProf. Johan Malan

There is a definite way that the Lord Jesus deals with unbelievers to save them, equip them for service and prepare them for eternal life in heaven. The willingness and full co-operation of each one of us, according to fixed biblical guidelines, is necessary if we wish to avert the tragedy of a false repentance. We can all share in the wonderful experience to be called by the Lord out of the darkness of sin into His marvellous light. I invite you to explore with me the unsearchable riches of the Lord’s love and saving grace, and to accept it by faith.

Literature

Books

Tracts

There's a selection of books on various subjects such assalvation / rebirth, spiritual growth, sanctification, Christ's return, Bible study and more. These books can be used for personal study and also Bible study groups.